Freshfields has a developing takeover defense offering and is sought out by global clients for advice on activism-related mandates, including preparedness planning, board-level strategy discussions, and new activist campaigns, often involving cross-border considerations. The practice is jointly led by Elizabeth Bieber, who advises boards and management on takeover defense, shareholder activism, and corporate governance matters; and Ethan Klingsberg, an M&A specialist. The team also advises on evolving governance trends, including SEC rule developments, environmental and social proposals, executive compensation issues, proxy advisory developments, and institutional investor expectations.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Elizabeth Bieber is fantastic. She understands the business objectives underlying activism matters and has deep knowledge of market practice and governance trends.’
- ‘Team is proactive in flagging activism developments in the market that could impact our company and combines deep practical knowledge with strong commercial judgment.’
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners: Advice to boards
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Elizabeth Bieber; Ethan Klingsberg